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Acadian Coastal Salt Marsh

These tidal salt marshes of the Northern Atlantic Coast occur in the Gulf of Maine along the immediate ocean shore and near estuary mouths. They develop along portions of the shoreline that are protected from wave energy, allowing the accumulation of saltmarsh peat. Sometimes called "salt meadows," they display strong dominance of grasses, sedges and rushes, with patchy forbs. Salt hay and smooth cordgrass are the major dominants.

These marshes may be extensive where the local topography allows; however, they are generally not associated with sand beach and dune systems (for those, see Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Tidal Salt Marsh), being more characteristic of coastlines that are predominantly rocky. Where the coastal topography becomes more dissected, they are commonly seen as a narrow fringe along tidal shorelines.